A well-acted production which would benefit from a little more depth.Summary
Rating
Good
A lot of plays carry an important message that needs to be discussed far more than it is currently being, which is why I feel uncomfortable about being critical about Strings Attached, co-written and performed by George Bury and Hannah Kendell. It tackles the very dark theme of coercive relationships and the way individuals can subtly manipulate their partners, but I’m not quite sure if this simplistic take has enough to offer in its current state.
Of course, spreading the word that these problems exist may well be the most important aspect, but perhaps if the play was a little less predictable it might attract a larger audience and thus more discussion. Based around a slightly on the nose central metaphor, it uses the idea of a real life puppeteer manipulating not only inanimate objects but also the people they are in a relationship with. But it’s a production which spoils itself as it gives away what takes place with the title and the very brief description in the programme.
It does at least contain two extremely strong performances. Bury is excellent throughout as the initially meek and mild puppeteer Rufus, who over the course of the play becomes increasingly manipulative. The performer is careful never to lapse in to two-dimensional villainy, and it’s a striking piece of acting that will stay with you. The same applies with Kendell, who is superb in the dual roles as children’s author Frankie and one of a marionette. She absolutely convinces in both parts as she struggles to deal with the possibility that her boyfriend isn’t quite as wonderful as he seems, or indeed as he repeatedly claims to be.
Rufus’s actions of course need to be called out, yet currently the story only illustrates a couple of the ways someone might be psychologically abusive. After a number of pleasant but forgettable scenes where the couple meet and slowly fall for each other, it falls in to a repeated pattern as Rufus either gaslights Frankie, emotionally blackmails her or isolates her from friends and family.
I feel I should once again stress that this is of course appalling behaviour, but other than some great acting the portrayal lacks a certain level of depth, which it would benefit from having. This is a very early work in progress show however, and the basic building blocks are already in place for what could be a compelling work. Hopefully over time it will be developed and explored in greater detail so that it will then have a much greater impact.
Written by Hannah Kendell and George Bury
Strings Attached has now completed its run at Etcetera Theatre.
